Choosing the Right Fabric for Embroidery
Embroidery quality relies on various factors such as fabric elasticity, density, and weave type. Taking these characteristics into account, threads and needles are chosen, and the master decides which stabilizer to purchase for specific materials. Additionally, each fabric's properties influence design selection and its fill density.
Considerations When Choosing Fabric
When purchasing fabric for an embroidery project, it's essential to consider not only its beauty but also other factors affecting embroidery quality:
- Fabric structure, density, texture, color, design, and thread weave type.
- Material properties such as drape, slipperiness, elasticity, thread fray, shedding, shrinkage, creasing, etc.
- Design specifics, including the number and size of its elements, fill density, and execution technique.
- The complexity of the cut or the characteristics of the finished product.
- The skill level of the embroiderer.
Not every design can be used on different types of fabrics, as they behave differently during work. What looks excellent on a dense base may lose its appeal on knit or plush fabrics.
Embroidering on Various Fabric Types
Modern technologies allow embroidery on almost any material. Let's explore some options commonly used for machine embroidery:
- Denim: Dense denim can be embroidered without additional stabilization, but for thin fabrics, it's better to use tear-away or cut-away stabilizer, depending on the design.
- Interlock: Two-sided knit fabric with less stretch requires tear-away stabilizer.
- Chiffon: Embroidered using water-soluble stabilizer or film.
- Flannel: Embroidered with tear-away stabilizer, using clean backing for lining.
- Muslin, Batiste, and Similar Fabrics: Embroidered with tear-away stabilizer chosen based on density.
In reality, embroidery can be done on various woven and non-woven materials, including fur and leather. The correct stabilizer choice plays a vital role in the final result. When possible, through experimentation, you can determine the suitable option for specific fabrics and find out which fill density is ideal for each case.